Benjamin Franklin Federalist Delegate from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Representing Pennsylvania
Benjamin Franklin represented Pennsylvania. At this time in Pennsylvania, it was prospering economically as much as the next state. Due to the lack of Congress’s power to promote commerce (trade) the states had trouble to produce revenue. Pennsylvania was considered a middle colony prerevolutionary and was known for the fertile land used to cultivate agriculture which originally fueled their economy. The population of Pennsylvania was very high. It was actually the third largest state in regards to population including about 433,611 people. Pennsylvania's geography is mountainous and flat in some parts. The mountains that run through western Pennsylvania are known as the Allegheny Mountains. There are a lot of rivers and streams, and as mentioned before, there is a lot of fertile land.
Background Information and Occupation
On January 17, 1706, Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston Massachusetts. Living a religious oriented life, Ben’s father wanted him to become a clergyman. Due to the lack of money in the family, the family could not afford to send him to school. Franklin decided to apprentice his brother’s newspaper company. He wasn’t allowed to write articles, so in spite, he wrote a series of letters from a middle aged widow named Silence Dogood at the age of 15. In the year of 1728, Franklin became a father of his illegitimate son William. The woman who gave birth is still questionable. In 1729, Ben bought the Pennsylvania Gazette and in 1730 Ben married Deborah Read. Other achievements include promoting colonial unity through the Albany Congress, being a delegate for the 2nd Continental Congress to create the Declaration of Independence, pursuing and promoting the Enlightenment, being a Pennsylvania President for two terms (equivalent to modern day governors) and being a delegate in France to help create the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Paris. While in Paris, Franklin’s hobbies included learning the language, reading, and getting to know the many faces of women in France (his wife had died prior). I makes sense that Benjamin Franklin was well to do (wealthy) but did not flaunt it. It is fair to say that Franklin’s occupations include but are not limited to Writer, Printer, Editor, Businessman, Postmaster, Inventor, Scientist, Delegate, Political Ambassador, Statesman, and Founding Father. Sadly, Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790. Although he is not with us today, Ben will live forever in America's roots of Independence.
Member and Role of the Constitutional Convention
Ben Franklin was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention representing Pennsylvania. Due to his old age (early eighties) he played a simple role of just being there and used his highly appreciated skills of compromise. Franklin stepped up when there was a concern about how much representation the smaller states should have, so the larger states could not, “Dominate,” the smaller ones in both the Senate and House of Representatives (Meltzer 264). It was his idea to have each state have two votes (equal representation) for the Senate and have the House of Representatives based on population. It was the best of both worlds. Franklin also wanted to promote abolishing slavery but refused to bring it up due to the fact that there were about 25 slave owners at the convention. Benjamin Franklin was known for his emotional speech to the delegates of the Constitution to sign the document known as the
Member of the State’s Ratifying Convention, Voted?
Benjamin Franklin was not apart of the Pennsylvanian Ratifying Convention. Since he was not at the convention, he could not vote. However, Franklin supported the ratification because he declared that the United States needed a stable government. The old government under the Articles of Confederation was weak and needed a refreshment. Pennsylvania wanted a Bill of Rights. Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution on December 12, 1787 with 46 to 23 votes in favor.
Arguments of the Ratification
Benjamin Franklin was generally for the Constitution due to the fact that he wanted to get some kind of government up and running. He was for the ratification due to the allowance of impeachment for the president in regards to high crimes. However, he was not a fan of the property restrictions for voters or members of Congress. Franklin also loathed the absolute veto power on legislation that was given to the executive branch.
References/ Friends: Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
Foes: Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Samuel Adams
Works Cited
Donovan, Frank R. The Many Worlds of Benjamin Franklin,. New York: American Heritage Pub.; Book Trade and Institutional Distribution by Harper & Row, 1963. Print.
*Dudley, William. "The Debate of Ratification." The Creation of the Constitution: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1995. 185-90. Print.
*Franklin, Benjamin. "Benjamin Franklin and His Autobiography." The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York: P.F. Collier & Son Corporation, 1969. 3-165. Print.
Meltzer, Milton. Benjamin Franklin: the New American. New York: F. Watts, 1988. Print.
Benjamin Franklin
Federalist
Delegate from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Representing Pennsylvania
Benjamin Franklin represented Pennsylvania. At this time in Pennsylvania, it was prospering economically as much as the next state. Due to the lack of Congress’s power to promote commerce (trade) the states had trouble to produce revenue. Pennsylvania was considered a middle colony prerevolutionary and was known for the fertile land used to cultivate agriculture which originally fueled their economy. The population of Pennsylvania was very high. It was actually the third largest state in regards to population including about 433,611 people. Pennsylvania's geography is mountainous and flat in some parts. The mountains that run through western Pennsylvania are known as the Allegheny Mountains. There are a lot of rivers and streams, and as mentioned before, there is a lot of fertile land.
Background Information and Occupation
On January 17, 1706, Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston Massachusetts. Living a religious oriented life, Ben’s father wanted him to become a clergyman. Due to the lack of money in the family, the family could not afford to send him to school. Franklin decided to apprentice his brother’s newspaper company. He wasn’t allowed to write articles, so in spite, he wrote a series of letters from a middle aged widow named Silence Dogood at the age of 15. In the year of 1728, Franklin became a father of his illegitimate son William. The woman who gave birth is still questionable. In 1729, Ben bought the Pennsylvania Gazette and in 1730 Ben married Deborah Read. Other achievements include promoting colonial unity through the Albany Congress, being a delegate for the 2nd Continental Congress to create the Declaration of Independence, pursuing and promoting the Enlightenment, being a Pennsylvania President for two terms (equivalent to modern day governors) and being a delegate in France to help create the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Paris. While in Paris, Franklin’s hobbies included learning the language, reading, and getting to know the many faces of women in France (his wife had died prior). I makes sense that Benjamin Franklin was well to do (wealthy) but did not flaunt it. It is fair to say that Franklin’s occupations include but are not limited to Writer, Printer, Editor, Businessman, Postmaster, Inventor, Scientist, Delegate, Political Ambassador, Statesman, and Founding Father. Sadly, Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790. Although he is not with us today, Ben will live forever in America's roots of Independence.
Member and Role of the Constitutional Convention
Ben Franklin was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention representing Pennsylvania. Due to his old age (early eighties) he played a simple role of just being there and used his highly appreciated skills of compromise. Franklin stepped up when there was a concern about how much representation the smaller states should have, so the larger states could not, “Dominate,” the smaller ones in both the Senate and House of Representatives (Meltzer 264). It was his idea to have each state have two votes (equal representation) for the Senate and have the House of Representatives based on population. It was the best of both worlds. Franklin also wanted to promote abolishing slavery but refused to bring it up due to the fact that there were about 25 slave owners at the convention. Benjamin Franklin was known for his emotional speech to the delegates of the Constitution to sign the document known as the
Member of the State’s Ratifying Convention, Voted?
Benjamin Franklin was not apart of the Pennsylvanian Ratifying Convention. Since he was not at the convention, he could not vote. However, Franklin supported the ratification because he declared that the United States needed a stable government. The old government under the Articles of Confederation was weak and needed a refreshment. Pennsylvania wanted a Bill of Rights. Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution on December 12, 1787 with 46 to 23 votes in favor.
Arguments of the Ratification
Benjamin Franklin was generally for the Constitution due to the fact that he wanted to get some kind of government up and running. He was for the ratification due to the allowance of impeachment for the president in regards to high crimes. However, he was not a fan of the property restrictions for voters or members of Congress. Franklin also loathed the absolute veto power on legislation that was given to the executive branch.
References/ Friends: Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
Foes: Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Samuel Adams
Works Cited
Donovan, Frank R. The Many Worlds of Benjamin Franklin,. New York: American Heritage Pub.; Book Trade and Institutional Distribution by Harper & Row, 1963. Print.
*Dudley, William. "The Debate of Ratification." The Creation of the Constitution: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1995. 185-90. Print.
*Franklin, Benjamin. "Benjamin Franklin and His Autobiography." The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York: P.F. Collier & Son Corporation, 1969. 3-165. Print.
Meltzer, Milton. Benjamin Franklin: the New American. New York: F. Watts, 1988. Print.
"Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, 2010. Web. 18 Sept. 2011. <http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/index.htm>.